Pivoted plug boards for cable terminals

ABSTRACT

A switchboard assembly embodying a fixed rack of connector terminals, to which is pivoted a movable rack of mating terminals, particularly those forming the ends of coaxial cables, which require a rectilinear movement relative to each other to effect the coupling and uncoupling therebetween. The connector terminals in both the fixed and movable racks form parts of elongate modular electric panels which are in alignment with each other in the respective racks, and which are spaced slightly from each other in each rack and are mounted on trunnions to permit them to rock slightly to enable the mating coaxial plug and jacks terminals in the respective racks to engage and disengage each other in a rectilinear direction as the rack frames are pivoted relative to each other.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Albert Cohen 2901 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Va. 22042 [21 Appl. No. 789,571

[22] Filed Jan. 7, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 9, 1971 [54] PIVOTED PLUG BOARDS FOR CABLE 2,647,244 7/1953 Deweyetal. 3,094,364 6/1963 Lingg ABSTRACT: A switchboard assembly embodying a fixed rack of connector terminals, to which is pivoted a movable rack of mating terminals, particularly those forming the ends of coaxial cables, which require a rectilinear movement relative to each other to effect the coupling and uncoupling therebetween. The connector terminals in both the fixed and movable racks form parts of elongate modular electric panels which are in alignment with each other in the respective racks, and which are spaced slightly from each other in each rack and are mounted on trunnions to permit them to rock slightly to enable the mating coaxial plug and jacks terminals in the respective racks to engage and disengage each other in a rectilinear direction as the rack frames are pivoted relative to each other.

Patented March 9, 1971 Q I 3,569,906

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A'TTOR NEY Patented March 9, 1971 3,569,906

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR if I 415527- C'Oh'A/ 5% I \W Li W ATTORNEY Patented March 9, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 4455a?" Cams/v ATTORNEY PIVOTED ILUG BOARDS FOR CABLE TERMINALS This invention relates to a rugged and reliable switchboard assembly, and more particularly to pivoted panels carrying electrical connectors which are used in making and breaking electrical connections in plug boards which are employed in patch cord programming systems and the like.

It is the object of the present invention to improve electrical connector assemblies which are mounted in fixed and movable frame components which are connected for pivotal movement relative to each other, and which present structural, functional, as well as maintenance problems when the connector terminal constitute parts of coaxial cables which require rectilinear movement in the direction of the axes of the cable terminals in the course of making or breaking electrical contact therebetween, but which, nevertheless, are mounted in frames which experience an angular movement in the course of engagement and disengagement of the cable terminals.

It is a further object of the invention to simplify the assembly of two mating sets of elongate modular panels fitted with complementary male and female, or plug and jack terminals, which are mounted on two frames pivotally joined to each other. The terminals may be connected and disconnected rapidly in a reliable manner, without undue wear of the parts.

Other objects and purposes will appear from the detailed description of the invention following hereinafter, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention illustrating the adaptability thereof to a plug board used in a patch cord programming system;

FIG. 2 is a right end view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view similar to FIG. 2, showing the assembly in open position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view along line 44 of FIG. 5, showing the mechanical operating system connected to the frames of the assembly, shown in dotted lines;

FIG. Sis a sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the operating mechanism in an advanced stage of movement of the frame components from the open position thereof shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to the closed position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view, with certain parts in section, of a pair of the mating elongate electric modular panels which are mounted in the fixed and movable frames for selective engagement and disengagement; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of the mating elongate modular panels in the frames showing their disposition relative to the adjacent panels in each frame, shown in dotted lines, which permits the attainment of the objectives of the instant invention.

In the drawings is shown a plug board of the general type shown in my earlier US. Pat. No. 3,004,235, Oct. 10, I961, consisting of a fixed frame F to which is pivotally mounted a movable frame F, in each of which are mounted elongate modular electric panels 2, 2, respectively, which carry the terminals of cables extending from the frames leading to electronic equipment of many diverse types.

A plurality of interchangeable racks R, (FIG. 3), are designed to be conveniently mounted in the movable frame F, which racks may be fitted with patch cords connected to any desired terminals, depending upon the specific program for which the assembly is wired, as illustrated in the abovementioned patent. The angular movement between the fixed and movable frames which support the terminals of the conductors leading to the assembly, present special problems when the engagement and disengagement of these terminals requires a rectilinear movement relative to each other, which especially is the case when coaxial cable connectors are used, as is sometimes required by electronic computers and analogous installations. U.S. Pat. No. 3,! 12,977, Dec. 3, I963, is illustrative of connectors of this type, to cope with this problem. Reson has been made to special terminal constructions such as self-aligning coaxial connectors which involve increased costs in the production and connection of the components.

The instant invention makes possible the rapid and effective engagement and disengagement between the rectilinear electrical terminals on the fixed and movable frames by the provision of a simple structural expedient, namely, the mounting of the elongate modular electric panels carrying these terminals, in such a way that they are capable of rocking to a slight degree in the course of the approach and separation of the frames, so that the terminals may execute relative reciprocating movement in the course of making and breaking their contact without undue wear of the parts and with reliability in operation.

To this end, the fixed frame .F is built up of horizontal and vertical framing members comprising end members I with cylindrical openings 1 therein for fixing therebetween the desired number of elongate electric modular panels 2, having any desired number of openings 4 extending therethrough for accommodating the cable terminals therein. The panels 2 are fitted with trunnions 3 on the opposite ends thereof which engage within the openings 1 in the end members of the frame. The panels are spaced from each other to a slight degree as shown in FIG. 8, to enable them to experience a limited rocking movement within the frame. The set of modular panels 2 in frame F, with any desired number of terminal openings 4 thereon, are in alignment with a complementary set of modular electric panels 2 with cylindrical openings 4 therein, which are mounted on a movable frame F The latter is constituted by a pair of end members 5, which are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on pintles 10 extending inwardly from lugs 11 extending from the front face of frame F at the lower ends of the end members 1. The upper ends of the end members 5 are interconnected by a mechanical lever system, described in greater detail below, which also serves to shift the movable frame from its open position shown in FIG. 3 to its fully closed position shown in FIG. 2. In the latter position, the modular panels are closely adjacent to each other with the terminal passages 4 and 4 in the respective panels 2 and 2 in accurate alignment.

Each end member 5 is provided with a groove 28 in the inner face thereof which is open at the top and which terminates in an inclined abutment at the bottom, for the purpose of receiving the ribs 8 on the opposite sides of a rack 30 in which is mounted the modular panels 2.

The rack 30 is of rectangular outline and is built up of vertical end members 35, upper horizontal member 36, bottom horizontal member 37, with intermediate vertical member 38 extending between the midportions of horizontal members 36 and 37. The vertical reinforcing member 38 is provided with cylindrical sockets 39 in alignment with similar sockets 40 in the end members 35 for receiving the trunnions 3' extending from the opposite ends of modular panels 2. The small spacing between the adjacent panels 2 in FIG. 3, amounting to about 0.03 inch cannot be seen in FIG. 3, but is indicated on an exaggerated scale in FIG. 8.

The modular electric panels 2' in the rack 30 are arranged in two adjacent rows of superposed panels. The reduced length of the electric panels 2 assures a more accurate support thereof without sagging and a facile rocking thereof by the trunnions 3 rotating in the sockets 39 of the intermediate vertical member 38 and in the sockets 40 of the end members 35.

The modular electric panels 2 in the fixed frame F are in alignment with the panels 2' in the movable frame F, as shown in FIG. 1, and the axes of the openings 4 and 4' in the frames, for the connectors, are coincident. The panels 2 of the fixed frame are behind the panels 2' shown in this FIG. and are not visible therein; they are mounted within perimetric framing members including end members 1 which are similar and congruous to those of frame F. I

The rack 30 is dropped into the sides 5 of the movable frame by the interengagement of the ribs 8 on the former with the grooves 28 in the latter. A stop pin 40' extending inwardly from each side 5 acts as an abutment for the bottom of the rack to assure the alignment of the panels mounted therein with those in the fixed frame. Of course, any desired number of patch cords or other cables or conducters may be engaged with the connectors mounted in the panels 2. Also, the rack 30 may be interchanged easily by withdrawing the one disposed in end members 5 and inserting another one.

As shown in FIG. 8, the modular panels are spaced from each other by a gap 45 of approximately 0.03 inch which permits the individual modular panels 2 and 2 to execute a rocking motion up to 5 in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

The modular panels 2, which are mounted in the fixed frame F, may be provided with guide pins 12 extending from the front face thereof, which are designed to cooperate with cylindrical sockets 13 in the modular panels 2 which are mounted in the racks 30.

As is known in the art, the coaxial cables C leading from the modular panels 2 which are mounted in the fixed frame F, end in female or sleeve terminals 50, while the conductors C which are connected to the modular panels in the movable frame make contact with male terminals 51, which protrude beyond the contacting face of the modular panels. Thus. the initial engagement of the tapered guide pins 12 with their mating sockets 13 in the course of the approaching angular movement between the frames F and F results in a relative tilting of the modular electric panels in the respective frame members, so that the male contacts 51 enter the female terminals 50 with a substantially rectilinear advancing movement, so that the electrical connections between them are made reliably, without undue wear of the parts in consequence of any heavy wiping action The capability of the individual elongate modular electric panels to execute a small rocking movement facilitates the disengagement of the rectilinear terminals in the course of the separation between the pivotally mounted frames F and F.

In the drawings is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the mechanical system for quickly and reliably moving the movable frame relative to the fixed frame. A handle assembly is constituted by a pair of spaced bellcrank levers 20, which are interconnected by a cylindrical handlebar 22 at the free end of the lever 20. The latter is flanged at 21 to impart greater strength thereto. The free end of each bellcrank lever is pivotally mounted to the upper end of each movable end member 5 at pivotal joint 24, while the corner of the bellcrank lever is pivoted to one end of a link 16 at the pivotal joint 25. The opposite end of the link 16 is pivoted to the fixed frame at 17 and a bracing bar 18 extends between the upper edge of the link midway of the pivots 17 and 25. The link is provided with a shoulder 19 which provides a stop for the handle H in its completely open position by the abutment of the shoulder 19 against flange 21 of each bellcrank lever near its fulcrum. THis is clearly shown in FIG. 4 whereat the flange 21 of the handle is in abutting engagement with the shoulder 19.

The movement of the handle from the position shown in FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrow and successively to the position shown in FIG. 5, and finally to the position shown in FIG. 2, results in a successive tilting of the modular electric panels from the bottom upward to effect the connection between the terminals in the mating panels by a simple reciprocating movement therebetween.

Of course, the number of terminals in each of the modular electric panels may be varied to suit different needs and these are indicated only schematically in the views shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8.

The pivotal mounting of the modular panels may facilitate the execution of connections between terminals of cables other than coaxial cables. Furthermore, the conductors C shown in FIG. 7 may be other than patch cord components and are not restricted to plug terminals which connect with jack terminals on one face of the panels which in turn form part of plug terminals extending from the opposite face of the panels.

While I have described my invention as embodied in a specific form and as operating in a specific manner for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that 1 do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a. a fixed frame;

b. a plurality of elongate modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame;

c. a plurality of transversely extending rectilinear electrical terminals on the front of said panels forming parts of conductors leading from the rear of said panels and frame;

d. a relatively movable frame mounted on said fixed frame for pivotal movement thereon along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said modular electric panels;

a second set of elongate modular electric panels mounted in said movable frame and adapted to be positioned in lateral alignment with the respective modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame;

a plurality of rectilinear electrical contacts complementary to said electrical terminals, mounted on said panels in said movable frame and extending transversely therefrom for selective engagement and disengagement with the rectilinear terminals on said panels mounted on said fixed frame; and

said modular electric panels on both said fixed and movable frames being pivotally mounted therein about axes parallel to the pivotal axis between said frames, and dis placed slightly from each other by spacing gaps parallel to said last-mentioned axes to permit said panels to turn about said axes to a slight degree.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spacing gaps between said modular electric panels are approximately three hundredths of an inch in depth to permit relative rotary movement of the modular electric panels up to approximately 5.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including complementary guide pins and sockets on the modular panels on the fixed and movable frames which engage each other in the course of the relative pivotal movement between the fixed and movable frames before the engagement of the rectilinear terminals and contacts, to control the turning movement of the modular panels, so that said last-mentioned engagement is executed in a rectilinear direction.

4. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a. a fixed frame; I

b. a set of elongate modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame;

c. a plurality of transversely extending rectilinear electrical terminals on the front of said panels forming parts of conductors leading from the rear of said panels and frame;

d. a relatively movable frame mounted on said fixed frame for pivotal movement thereon along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said modular electric panels;

e. a readily interchangeable rack mounted in said movable frame;

f. a second set of elongate modular electric panels mounted in said rack and adapted to be positioned in lateral alignment with the respective modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame;

g. a plurality of rectilinear electrical contacts, complementary to said electrical terminals, mounted on said panels in said rack and extending transversely therefrom for selective engagement and disengagement with the rectilinear terminals on said panels mounted on said fixed frame;

h. guide pins at the ends of the modular panels of one set cooperating with complementary sockets provided at the ends of the modular panels of the other set; and

. said modular electric panels in both said rack and fixed frame being pivotally mounted about axes parallel to the pivotal axis between said fixed and movable frames, each panel being spaced form each other a sufi'icient amount to permit the rocking thereof in the course of moving the frames together and the initial engagement between said cooperating guide pins and sockets followed by the final engagement between the complementary rectilinear terminals and contacts.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said rectilinear terminals and contacts are in the form of plug and jack conductors.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plug and jack conductors are terminals of coaxial cables.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said relatively movable frame comprises a pair of end bars pivoted at their lower ends to the lower end of said fixed frame, each bar having a groove on the inner edge thereof:

a. said interchangeable rack having a rib on each outer edge of the rack adapted to be slidably received in the grooves of the end bars, and

b. a mechanical linkage system connected to the upper ends of said end bars for integrating said movable system and actuating it for contact with and separation from said fixed frame.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said lastmentioned mechanical linkage system comprises a pair of bellcrank levers with the end of the short arm of each pivoted to the upper end of each end bar, and an actuating handle extending between the ends of the long arms of the bellcrank levers.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the fulcrums of the bellcrank levers are connected to one end of a link, with the opposite end of each link connected to the upper end of said fixed frame.

. 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, including a stop shoulder on each link adapted to serve as an abutment for each bellcrank lever in the fully opened position of said frames.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, including a bracing rod extending from an intermediate point of each link between the pivoted ends thereof. 

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a. a fixed frame; b. a plurality of elongate modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame; c. a plurality of transversely extending rectilinear electrical terminals on the front of said panels forming parts of conductors leading from the rear of said panels and frame; d. a relatively movable frame mounted on said fixed frame for pivotal movement thereon along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said modular electric panels; e. a second set of elongate modular electric panels mounted in said movable frame and adapted to be positioned in lateral alignment with the respective modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame; f. a plurality of rectilinear electrical contacts complementary to said electrical terminals, mounted on said panels in said movable frame and extending transversely therefrom for selective engagement and disengagement with the rectilinear terminals on said panels mounted on said fixed frame; and g. said modular electric panels on both said fixed and movable frames being pivotally mounted therein about axes parallel to the pivotal axis between said frames, and displaced slightly from each other by spacing gaps parallel to said last-mentioned axes to permit said panels to turn about said axes to a slight degree.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spacing gaps between said modular electric panels are approximately three hundredths of an inch in depth to permit relative rotary movement of the modular electric panels up to approximately 5*.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including complementary guide pins and sockets on the modular panels on the fixed and movable frames which engage each other in the course of the relative pivotal movement between the fixed and movable frames before the engagement of the rectilinear terminals and contacts, to control the turning movement of the modular panels, so that said last-mentioned engagement is executed in a rectilinear direction.
 4. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a. a fixed frame; b. a set of elongate modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame; c. a plurality of transversely extending rectilinear electrical terminals on the front of said panels forming parts of conductors leading from the rear of said panels and frame; d. a relatively movable frame mounted on said fixed frame for pivotal movement thereon along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said modular electric panels; e. a readily interchangeable rack mounted in said movable frame; f. a second set of elongate modular electric panels mounted in said rack and adapted to be positioned in lateral alignment with the respective modular electric panels mounted on said fixed frame; g. a plurality of rectilinear electrical contacts, complementary to said electrical terminals, mounted on said panels in said rack and extending transversely therefrom for selective engagement and disengagement with the rectilinear terminals on said panels mounted on said fixed frame; h. guide pins at the ends of the modular panels of one set cooperating with complementary sockets provided at the ends of the modular panels of the other set; and i. said modular electric panels in both said rack and fixed frame being pivotally mounted about axes parallel to the pivotal axis between said fixed and movable frames, each panel being spaced form each other a sufficient amount to permit the rocking thereof in the course of moving the frames together and the initial engagement between said cooperating guide pins and sockets followed by the final engagement between the complementary rectilinear terminals and contacts.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said rectilinear terminals and contacts are in the form of plug and jack conductors.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plug and jack conductors are terminals of coaxial cables.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said relatively movable frame comprises a pair of end bars pivoted at their lower ends to the lower end of said fixed frame, each bar having a groove on the inner edge thereof: a. said interchangeable rack having a rib on each outer edge of the rack adapted to be slidably received in the grooves of the end bars, and b. a mechanical linkage system connected to the upper ends of said end bars for integrating said movable system and actuating it for contact with and separation from said fixed frame.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said last-mentioned mechanical linkage system comprises a pair of bellcrank levers with the end of the short arm of each pivoted to the upper end of each end bar, and an actuating handle extending between the ends of the long arms of the bellcrank levers.
 9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the fulcrums of the bellcrank levers are connected to one end of a link, with the opposite end of each link connected to the upper end of said fixed frame.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, including a stop shoulder on each link adapted to serve as an abutment for each bellcrank lever in the fully opened position of said frames.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, including a bracing rod extending from an intermediate point of each link between the pivoted ends thereof. 